DevelopPPP Ventures Launches Cohort 11 for East African Startups
Nairobi, Kenya | May 19, 2026 — DevelopPPP Ventures is excited to announce the opening of its 11th cohort, inviting early-stage startups from Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania to apply for €100,000 in non-dilutive funding. This initiative aims to support startups with impact-driven business models that address challenging social issues.
This funding initiative is backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by DEG Impulse. As a subsidiary of the German development finance institution DEG, DevelopPPP Ventures focuses on offering significant matching funds to startups that have already demonstrated proof of concept. To date, the program has committed a total of €10 million to enhance the Kenyan ecosystem and support pioneering enterprises in critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, fintech, and clean energy. The program’s operations in Kenya are supported by partners VC4A and InVhestia Ventures.
Pioneering Innovation Through Targeted Support
Cohort 11 aims to uncover Kenya’s next wave of successful entrepreneurs—those who are not solely profit-driven but are equally committed to improving living conditions and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Julia Stausberg-Umuerri, head of DevelopPPP Ventures at DEG Impulse, emphasized the program’s intent: “With Cohort 11, we are reinforcing our commitment to Kenya’s innovation landscape by equipping founders with the specific type of capital they require to bridge the funding gap. Beyond the €100,000 matching fund, we continue to focus on providing technical assistance and fostering a platform for entrepreneurs to achieve sustainable success.”
From the Kenyan portfolio, Eric Onchonga, co-founder and MD of Irri-Hub, expressed the program’s profound impact on their operations: “The DevelopPPP Ventures program has been instrumental in our growth journey. It has allowed us to refine our business model, recruit talented individuals, and enter new markets through strategic partnerships. The technical assistance we’ve received has strengthened our technology, helping us attract additional investment from new investors. This support has genuinely transformed our business.”
Eligibility Criteria for Funding
To qualify for the €100,000 non-dilutive funding, applicants must meet a set of eligibility criteria:
- The startup must focus on profit generation and be registered in Kenya (or plan to register before fundraising).
- Applicants must demonstrate proof of concept and initial revenue generation.
- At least one annual financial statement is required.
- Each startup must raise €100,000 from other sources (such as venture capitalists or angel investors), which will be matched by DevelopPPP Ventures.
- Startups should exhibit high growth potential and demonstrate a pathway to break even within three years.
Application Process and Timeline
The application window for Cohort 11 is open from May 15 to June 30, 2026. Interested startups are encouraged to visit the VC4A application portal to review the detailed eligibility criteria and submit their applications.
About DevelopPPP Ventures
DevelopPPP is a financing initiative under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), managed by DEG Impulse gGmbH along with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The program supports companies making sustainable investments in developing and emerging markets.
About DEG Impulse
DEG Impulse operates as a wholly-owned non-profit subsidiary of DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH), focusing on sustainable transformation within the private sector in developing and emerging markets through advisory and advocacy programs aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
About InVhestia Ventures
Based in Nairobi, InVhestia Ventures is an advisory firm dedicated to supporting early-stage startups through seed funding, expert guidance, and valuable business networking opportunities.
About VC4A
Since 2007, VC4A has been at the forefront of building ecosystems to support startup movements in emerging markets, leveraging its extensive infrastructure and network.
